66 turbo hydra steering column restored

[HOTFUN]

Cab about to meet restored chassis waiting on windshield stainless to get polished so glass can all go in. So next was to get steering column restored and ready to go. So I spent a couple days taking an original 66 turbo 400 column totally apart and cleaning paint and polishing. Dug out all the nos pieces to make it factory fresh. Got to say it's been really a nice project and works smooth as can be. Painting upper shroud and turn signal housing and wheel fawn next.

[pimpston65]

Originally Posted by HOTFUN

Cab about to meet restored chassis waiting on windshield stainless to get polished so glass can all go in. So next was to get steering column restored and ready to go. So I spent a couple days taking an original 66 turbo 400 column totally apart and cleaning paint and polishing. Dug out all the nos pieces to make it factory fresh. Got to say it's been really a nice project and works smooth as can be. Painting upper shroud and turn signal housing and wheel fawn next.

whatchu goodies u got in the box thats supporting the coulmn??? also whats the paste grease in the pull top can, lithium grease?

[HOTFUN]

That would be a nos 66 heater control we were matching for color on the dash refinish. And after glass beading and cleaning and primer and paint I used plenty of white lithium grease everywhere. Funny how the new NOS upper and lower bearings and even the new delco back up switch needed the original grease removed and replaced after who knows how many years on the shelf. I also had nos shifter and turn signal arms and nos knobs too. Last will be the nos horn ring, cap and a mint used wheel with no cracks just the paint had gone south with over 40 years of storage.

[pimpston65]

Originally Posted by HOTFUN

That would be a nos 66 heater control we were matching for color on the dash refinish. And after glass beading and cleaning and primer and paint I used plenty of white lithium grease everywhere. Funny how the new NOS upper and lower bearings and even the new delco back up switch needed the original grease removed and replaced after who knows how many years on the shelf. I also had nos shifter and turn signal arms and nos knobs too. Last will be the nos horn ring, cap and a mint used wheel with no cracks just the paint had gone south with over 40 years of storage.

yeah ima NOS whore myself, gotta love those old boxes. tip: keep those boxes for insurance claims!!! another member brought up that point... ps hope you never need to make a claim thou. so white lithium grease, ima look for it cuz the spray seems a little on the thin side...

[DPowers]

Sharp- nice work

[HOTFUN]

Thanks its been fun if only everything was still available from the local GM dealer it really would be a dream to restore. White lithium grease is available at every parts store packaged in small tubes to tubs or cartridges. I was taught to use a flux or acid brush (small bristle brush used for pipe swetting) and you can work that grease into bearings and places like hood hinges or door hinges and smear on the shifter plates easily. Then just wipe off the excess where you don't want it. The white color of this grease was to indicate contaminates in the grease like dirt or worn bushings even old grease that looks hard and yellowed.

Thought I better add this disclosure: white lithium grease is NOT high temp or pressure wheel bearing grease but used for hinges, garage door tracks, window regulators, small friction surfaces like plastic on metal.

[sambrutay]

Nice disclosure on the grease, I do love me some NOS GM parts!

[pimpston65]

Can that grease be used on electric connection like dielectric grease? Multi purpose vs using different types...

[HOTFUN]

It is not dielectric grease. On my nos backup/ neutral switch I just cleaned off the yellowed grease where the plastic tab slides on the metal and just lubed the plastic and the metal bracket. Works smooth as silk. Nothing on the switch contacts.

[pestwagon]

what is the GM part number for the lower bearing?

Also, did you get a turn signal switch with a wire to the indicator lens light?

[pimpston65]

Originally Posted by pestwagon

what is the GM part number for the lower bearing?

Also, did you get a turn signal switch with a wire to the indicator lens light?

ive had one aftermarket and one NOS turn setup and neither had the light socket and wire, so i took the original one off the old turn signal setup. also i havent seen them repop'd not to say dont i just never seen them...

[HOTFUN]

NOS GM lower bearing is group 6.521 part # 7802845
Here's a link to one on eBay. Not mine.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191265440842...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Shifter indicator bulb housing and wire I just popped it out of the connector and it goes right in the new turn signal switch.

[pestwagon]

Originally Posted by HOTFUN

NOS GM lower bearing is group 6.521 part # 7802845
Here's a link to one on eBay. Not mine.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191265440842...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Shifter indicator bulb housing and wire I just popped it out of the connector and it goes right in the new turn signal switch.

Thanks! Just bought the bearing on EBay ($40)